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Given the issues on the NHL’s plate — Olympic participation, sorting out the final wording of the collective bargaining agreement — it’s no surprise there hasn’t been much by way of chatter about realignment.

But just because the issue is on the backburner, doesn’t mean it’s going to go away.

“I am still expecting we will be in a position to implement a realignment in time for next season,” NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly told thestar.com.

A real possibility exists that the league will return to its four-conference format proposal that was shot down by the NHLPA last year. In that proposal, the Leafs division swallows up Tampa and Florida. Carolina and Washington would join the Atlantic. Winnipeg would head to a mid-west division.

(A simpler possibility is to keep the current alignment and simply flip Columbus and Winnipeg.)

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The last realignment proposal:

Boston, Montreal, Toronto, Ottawa, Buffalo, Florida and Tampa Bay

New Jersey, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, New York Islanders, New York Rangers, Washington and Carolina

There are some kinks to be worked out with the grander scheme. Two conferences would have seven teams each, two eight, creating imbalance and making it easier for teams in the seven-team conference to make the playoffs than the teams in the eight-team conferences. There’s the matter of coming up with new names.

The idea is that teams in each division play each other six times and crown a regular-season champion. The playoffs — top four in each conference — would stay within conference for the first two rounds.

For the Maple Leafs, it would mean three trips to the Sunshine State through the cold, wintry season.

For the Lightning and Panthers, it would mean a lot more travel — north, across the border and into the cold.

Here’s a sampling of what players on the three teams think about idea.

GEORGE PARROS, Panthers: “Obviously, not favourable. Proximity is king in individual games. Just as far as travel is concerned, and building rivalries, it’s good to stay within your own realm.

“I just don’t like the fact that it’s unfair balance if it’s just like they said it would. We’ve offered a few suggestions to try and help it out, like do a play-in for the extra playoff spot. Make it so that it’s a fair chance for everyone to make the playoffs. The way they have it, I don’t agree with.”

STEVE STAMKOS, Lightning: “We do have a pretty good travel schedule. We like that, the less travel the better. Especially a long season where you try to get as much rest as possible. I personally like it the way it is, right now. I assume it will probably be revisited in the next year. We’ll see how it goes. When that (proposal) did come out, it seemed we’d have more travel than the guys in the West.”

CLARKE MACARTHUR, Maple Leafs: “I’d love that. I think it be a nice change. It’s nice to come out here (to Florida) to get the sun. You feel better. It’s nice to come out here and walk around in a T-shirt and get a little break and get your vitamin D.”

MIKE WEAVER, Panthers rep on the NHLPA: “If they are proposing that, it’d be great for revenue sharing. But you have to go through customs every single time. There’s a lot more travel, tons of travel for us. It’s tough. A lot of people don’t understand what we go through. It’s not like we show up for a game and that’s it. We have pregame skate, we have to show up two hours before a game, there’s a lot of preparation, and flying. If you’re not flying as much, you have more time to rest. You’re not really resting a whole lot on the flight.

“I used to play in Vancouver. Everybody says the West Coast teams are tough, no. Even though there are long trips, it’s easier than Florida. Hands down, Florida has the worst travel.

“In Vancouver, I found that after you played a game, you get back, you gain three hours. You go the night before the game, you might lose three hours, but you always go home you gain three hours.

JOHN-MICHAEL LILES, Maple Leafs: “Listen, I’m never going to complain about going down to the sun. I will complain if every one of them is back to back. It’s obviously a perk that the players down here have. To play in the sun. . . . I am glad the league is working with the NHLPA on it. Last time it was just out of left field. For us having the discussion with us and making sure it works for the league as well as the players so it will be interesting to see how it works out.”

CORY CONACHER, Lightning: “It’d be cool. I’m from Toronto. I wouldn’t mind the travel. I did a lot of travel in the minors. If I got to Toronto once every couple of months, that would be perfect for me.”

NAZEM KADRI, Maple Leafs: “I don’t mind at all. I don’t think anyone would mind it. It is nice to get away a little bit especially coming to a place like Florida where it is so relaxing.”

SCOTT CLEMMENSEN, Panthers: “I am a believer that the divisions should be divided up geographically, so that travel is as easy as possible. It doesn’t mean the travel is going to be easy but it only makes sense that Winnipeg in the Western Conference.

RANDY CARLYLE, Maple Leafs coach: “It is always nice to look at it geographically with the weather but I don’t know if it’s a bonus or a non-bonus. I don’t look at it that way because every game is a tough game. I don’t look at weather or the geography.”

As for Panthers concern about travel, the former coach of the Anaheim Ducks says: “They don’t know what they’re talking about as far as Western Conference versus Eastern Conference travel.”

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FINGERNAIL-BITING TIME

Leafs coach Randy Carlyle, usually guarded in his comments, gave a reason why Mike Brown and David Steckel play so few minutes.

“No one can say anything about their commitment to the team, and they’re fairly safe defensively,” said Carlyle. “The issue I have with them more than anything is when they ice the puck. You can play them up against most lines. But when they ice the puck, you know the big boys are coming over the boards from the other team. Then you’re like . . . that’s why I don’t have any cuticles.”

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THE WEEK AHEAD

Feb. 23 at Ottawa: Goalie Ben Scrivens got his first NHL shutout last week at the Air Canada Centre. Now Game 2 of the Battle of Ontario resumes in the nation’s capital. Since being beaten 3-0 by the Leafs, the Senators have bounced back with wins over New Jersey, the Islanders and the Rangers. But the Senators likely won’t have goalie Craig Anderson between the pipes after suffering an ankle strain on Thursday. The Leafs are 7-3 on the road.

Feb. 25 at Philadelphia: The Maple Leafs manhandled the Flyers 5-2 in their first meeting back at the Air Canada Centre, a game that saw Ben Scrivens take over from James Reimer after he strained a knee. This will be a big game for winger James van Riemsdyk as he returns to play the team that made him their No. 1 draft pick (second overall) in 2007. He scored in Toronto, skating around defenceman Luke Schenn, whom he was traded for. The Flyers are chasing a playoff spot in the East and the Leafs need another win to keep the Flyers back of hunt.

Feb. 27 vs. Montreal: Since the Leafs gave the Habs a good old fashion 6-0 whipping at the Bell Centre, the Canadiens have caught fire with five wins in their last six games heading into this weekend. The Islanders snapped their five-game winning streak with an overtime victory on Thursday. Montreal always seems to play well at the Air Canada Centre. But they’ll be missing standout rookie Brendan Gallagher, who is sidelined with a concussion.

Feb. 28 at Islanders: The Leafs didn’t fare too well when the Isles came to the ACC earlier this season as New York beat Toronto 7-4, the worst loss of the season for the Leafs. So it’s time for a little revenge. It’s also another chance for Toronto out some distance between another playoff threat.

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FIVE THINGS TO WATCH

1. BEN SCRIVENS: He’s more than just kept the net warm until James Reimer returns. Scrivens had a rough night in Tampa but bounced back against the Sabres. It’s still his crease for now and it will be up to Reimer to win it back. But the way Scrivens has played means coach Randy Carlyle won’t have to rush Reimer back although he could be ready to see some action by the end of the week.

2. DEFENSIVE DECISIONS: With Jake Gardiner ready to return from the Marlies, Carlyle must figure out where to play him. The Dion Phaneuf/Korbinian Holzer and Cody Franson/ Mark Fraser tandems have generally played well so there’s no reason for Carlyle to make any changes there. And Mike Kostka moves the puck well and leads the defence in blocked shots and has done nothing to warrant press box duty. So if Gardiner does return it means Carl Gunnarsson, John-Michael Liles and Mike Komisarek will be healthy scratches unless Carlyle decides his team needs a more veteran blueline presence or a trade moves some bodies out.

3. THE GRABOVSKI SLUMP: At $5.5 million per season, Mikhail Grabovski is being paid to score. Firing just four goals in 17 games doesn’t cut it for the highest-paid Leaf forward even if he is playing against top lines. Will this be the week he starts lighting it up consistently? He went 11 games before scoring his fourth in the Tampa loss.

4. PENALTY KILLING: The Leafs penalty killing has dramatically improved and one of the big reasons is the play of Jay McClement, who game in and game out has proven his value to the team.

5. POWER PLAY BLUES: The Leafs keep getting plenty of chances but they’ve had trouble taking advantage of their man advantage opportunities. Only Montreal has had more power plays but the Leafs have only cashed in 13 times although they got their act together by scoring twice on power plays in Thursday’s 3-1 win over Buffalo. Are their power-play fortunes about to change?

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THE PROSPECT: Jamie Devane

Maple Leafs coach Randy Carlyle likes his big, strong players to spend a lot of time in the dirty zone in front of the opposition net. In a few seasons, Jamie Devane of the Marlies could be one of the players parking himself there.

At 6-foot-5, and 230 pounds, the just turned 22-year-old from Mississauga has the body and physical presence to be a tough player to play against.

“We like to say that he’s an AHL player with NHL upside,” said Jim Hughes, the Leafs director of player personnel. “He moves pretty well for a big player.”

Primarily known for being a tough guy, Hughes said Devane also has a real good sense and feel for the game. Drafted in the third round of the 2009 draft, Devane had a solid junior career with the Plymouth Whalers where he often played on the power play, parking his big frame in front of the net while serving as the team’s enforcer. Last season, he scored 23 goals and 45 points in 59 games for Plymouth with 104 penalty minutes.

Devane started the season with the San Francisco Bulls of the ECHL before being called up to the Marlies. In four games, he’s scored once, a highlight goal as he scored on a breakaway.

“It looked like he had done it a million times,” Hughes said. “He just needs time and more experience.

“Let him play 50 to 70 AHL games and he might be in a real good position to graduate. He knows his angles. He knows his positioning well. He’s been we’ll schooled by both the Plymouth and the Marlies.”

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USED TO BE A LEAF: Jiri Tlusty

The Leafs always thought Jiri Tlusty had some offensive talent when they drafted him in the first round (13th overall) in 2006. In fact, he scored twice, 35 seconds apart, in his NHL debut on Oct. 25, 2007 when Toronto beat the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Who knew that would be his best-ever game for the Blue and White? He would score only eight more times in 58 games that season.

But Tlusty got a new lease on life when he was traded to the Carolina Hurricanes in December 2009 for Philippe Paradis and this past week he was named the NHL’s third star of the week. Playing with the likes of Eric Staal and Alexander Semin on the top line hasn’t hurt. He scored four goals and added two assists as the Hurricanes won three straight before being shut out 3-0 by the Montreal Canadiens.

Tlusty, 24, had a career-high four points in Carolina’s 6-4 win over the New York Islanders on Feb. 11 when he scored two goals and two assists. Then he fired two more, including the game winner the following night in a 4-2 victory over the New Jersey Devils.

He scored twice again Thursday night, in a 4-3 loss and has points in seven straight games.

Last season he scored a career-high 17 goals. The Slany, Czech Republic native has eight already this year.

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THE VIEW FROM THE WEST: Detroit Red Wings.

The Red Wings are reeling. Following a 3-2 loss to Columbus on Thursday, the Wings are winless in five. They are very much in danger of missing the playoffs for the first time in more than 20 years. It’s more than the retirement of Nicklas Lidstrom. It’s more than the aging of their remaining core players.

It’s injuries.

It got to the point this week that the Detroit Free Press ran a reader’s guide to who’s healthy and who’s not:

Currently injured

Todd Bertuzzi: Back, has played seven games.

Carlo Colaiacovo: Shoulder, has played two games.

Johan Franzen: Hip flexor, has played 12 games.

Darren Helm: Back, has played one game.

Mikael Samuelsson: Between a pulled groin and a fractured finger, has played three games.

“I don’t care about that stuff,” Babcock said. “The bottom line is we’ve done a lot of good things, but we’ve made some big mistakes in games that have cost us. Just taking care of the puck, and decision making, we have to get better at. We have to continue to work hard at moving the puck.

“Our power play has been non-existent (ranking 25th at 13.5 per cent Thursday). Not inconsistent. Non-existent. We have to be way better. Our work ethic on it, and getting pucks back, we have to create momentum for ourselves in that area. We have to better at it.

“With our group here, we have to evolve our game and scratch and claw and find ways to win games.”

“Maybe. But that’s all right. I’ve always kind of shrugged my shoulders when people have said it could be a roadblock for me. But I don’t want to look at the past. I work hard and I’ve paid my dues.”

Kekalainen arrived in the United States on Wednesday night after a week-long effort to secure a work visa in Helsinki. Kekalainen said his immediate priority is getting to know the players, then doing the same with the club’s prospects playing in Springfield, junior hockey, college and Europe. Character, he said, is of utmost importance.

“I’m talking about getting to know them as teammates and citizens, and that’s a long process,” said Kekalainen. “You can’t get to know them like that from the stands or the press box. I’ve been watching a lot of these guys since they were 17 years old, but that doesn’t mean I know them personally. That is really important. I really believe in that.”

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THIS WEEK IN LEAFS HISTORY

FEB. 22, 1993: Glenn Anderson becomes second player in Leaf uniform to earn career 1,000 points in 8-1 victory at Vancouver on same night Doug Gilmour earns 73rd assist to break Darryl Sittler’s season record. “I think Darryl was the first guy to say to me, ‘Go for it,’ ” Gilmour told the Star then. “You don’t go into a season trying to break records, but this is nice.” Anderson’s historic goal came on a terrific solo effort. The Leafs bench cleared to help him celebrate. The Leafs were given a delay of game penalty. “If it had been a key player like (Wayne) Gretzky or (Mario) Lemieux, I’m sure they would have had a ceremony or something,” said Anderson. “I’ll remember this goal because it was so dramatic and because I served my own delay-of-game penalty.”

FEB. 26, 2006: Mats Sundin collected an assist on the game-winning goal versus Finland, as he captained Sweden to a gold medal at 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin, Italy. “It’s heavier than I thought,” Sundin told the Star about the medal. “(It’s) my greatest moment in my hockey career, but hopefully I can also get into the Stanley Cup finals with Toronto, too.” Oh, well.

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THE ROAD TRIP: Monday in Philadelphia

Yes, they boo Santa in Philly. It’s a bit of an intimidating town if the locals sense you’re part of the visiting team’s entourage. Philly fans are deaf to reporter claims of neutrality. One beat writer for the Montreal Canadiens had his car — identifiable because of its Quebec license plates — ransacked. I was in a hotel bar the night before a Leafs-Flyers game, and a bunch of Leaf fans were fretting if they should wear their Blue and White jerseys on the subway out to the game. The bartender assured them it would be okay. Then he paused. “But if the Leafs win,” he added, “don’t wear them back.”

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